The Ottawa Senators' Marc Methot speaks to reporters as the Sens clean out their lockers at the Canadian Tire Centre.Photo by
Patrick Doyle

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion made his list for the National Hockey League’s expansion draft, he checked it twice and Sunday he revealed it to the rest of the hockey world.

There were no surprises with what the Vegas Golden Knights will have to choose from the Senators’ roster.

While all eyes will be on veteran defenceman Marc Methot, who was among the players exposed when the lists were made public, the only other name that stuck out was that of winger Bobby Ryan, one of the Senators’ best players in the 2017 playoffs, but he likely won’t be claimed because he has five years remaining on his contract for an annual cap hit of $7.25 million and $37.25 million in real cash.

The Senators have no shortage of options on defence for the Knights. That club could take blueliner Fredrik Claesson, who was a strong performer in the playoffs, and the word is that Vegas has always liked Chris Wideman and Mark Borowiecki, who are also available.

Yes, veteran wingers Clarke MacArthur and Alex Burrows were both left unprotected, but there’s little chance either will be selected. MacArthur only returned at the end of last season after missing most of the previous two years with post-concussion syndrome, while Burrows has a two-year contract extension that kicks in next season.

Ryan was really the only other difficult decision Dorion faced after veteran defenceman Dion Phaneuf declined a request to waive the “no-move” clause in his contract so that he could be exposed in the expansion draft. There was likely a debate over winger Ryan Dzingel, who had 14 goals and 18 assists last season, but he’s only 25 and has upside potential.

What happens next is up to Dorion and Golden Knights counterpart George McPhee.

Dorion, who is headed to Las Vegas on Monday to attend the NHL awards ceremony Wednesday as one of three finalists for the GM of the year award along with Edmonton’s Peter Chiarelli and Nashville’s David Poile, will likely meet with McPhee to see what can be done to keep Methot in the Senators’ fold.

The Knights have indicated they’re open for business.

“We’ve let it be known to everybody that we’re going to touch base with clubs and let them know what we’re thinking in terms of the player we might select,” Vegas assistant GM Kelly McCrimmon told the club’s website Saturday. “(They’ll) discuss different possibilities with teams if they want to do something not to lose a player.”

That’s where Dorion has a decision to make.

If the Knights indicate their intention to select Methot, who has two years left on his deal at $4.9 million per-season, Dorion must determine whether he’s willing to pay McPhee’s asking price to keep Vegas away from the 31-year-old, who has been captain Erik Karlsson’s defensive partner for the past five seasons.

Before the lists were due Saturday, the Senators tried desperately to deal Phaneuf, who had to be protected from the expansion draft because of that “no-move” clause, so they could retain Methot. That didn’t materialize.

A report Saturday indicated the Columbus Blue Jackets had already agreed to surrender the No. 24 overall selection in next Friday’s entry draft to make sure they can hold onto some of their young talent. The Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild are both considering similar options.

Since the Senators only have four selections in this year’s entry draft, including the 28th pick in Round 1, they don’t have a lot to play with on that front, but Dorion could give up a pick down the road or a current prospect.

It sounds as if Vegas is trying to stockpile talent. The Knights have former Senators chief scout Bob Lowes on their amateur scouting staff, so he knows Ottawa prospects well. If Dorion is willing to give up somebody already in the organization, that may solve the Methot problem.

The reality, however, is that the Senators will lose a player, as will every other NHL club. Giving up a prospect or pick means they’d be giving up two assets, which is why several other GMs have recently indicated they’re simply going to take their lumps and lose a player.

That may be the route Dorion takes with Methot, but he has to find out exactly what the Knights want.

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